Hardwick to continue serving on Finance & Management Committee

by jmaloni

Fri, Jan 13th 2012 05:50 pm

The Erie County Legislature's Minority Caucus, including Legislator Kevin Hardwick, left, and Legislator Joseph Lorigo, take the official oath of office during the annual reorganizational meeting held Jan. 5. Legislator John Mills was named minority leader during the meeting.

Minority Caucus names Mills leader for 2012

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick will once again
serve on the Finance and Management Committee and oversee the administration of
the county's $1 billion budget. He was also named to the Community Enrichment
and Government Affairs committees during the annual reorganizational meeting
held Jan. 5.

Hardwick represents Grand Island in the Erie County
Legislature.

"The most important responsibility we have as legislators
is the oversight of the county's annual budget. Ensuring that every tax dollar
is spent wisely is always at the forefront of every decision I make," said
Hardwick. "I believe Erie County is on the right track, having recorded a
surplus the past several years by improving efficiency and downsizing
government, and we can't afford to get off track."

Hardwick added that he is looking forward to handling the
issues put before the Community Enrichment and Government Affairs committees as
the decisions made by those committees are very important to constituents and
their quality of life.

Also at the annual reorganizational meeting, Erie County
Legislator John J. Mills had the unanimous support of the Minority Caucus to
serve as minority leader of the Erie County Legislature for 2012. Mills has
held the post since 2007.

"I am honored to once again have the support of my
colleagues to serve as minority leader of the legislature," said Mills. "There
are a lot of changes occurring, including a new administration under County
Executive Mark Poloncarz, and new, larger legislative districts. The
legislature will have to work together to handle the challenges that come with
balancing a budget while providing services and maintaining an aging
infrastructure. I look forward to working with my caucus members and the entire
legislature to put forward resolutions that will improve Erie County."

The Minority Caucus' responsibilities escalate this term,
as the divide among caucuses is very slim, separated by one legislator. The
Majority Caucus holds six seats while the Minority Caucus has five.

"The Minority Caucus has control over whether or not the
county will spend surplus dollars or bond for expenditures because both actions
need a super majority approval, eight votes," said Mills. "It will be
imperative that both sides work together on all issues to ensure that tax
dollars are allocated efficiently."

"The Minority Caucus will have a stronger voice in the
11-member body and I think this will bring improved efficiency to county
government and programs."